Natchez Police Chief Mike Mullins says an altercation between police officers and two men outside a nightclub is under investigation.

One of the suspects is recovering at a Jackson hospital from injuries his family alleges were caused by police. Family members say officers used unnecessary roughness and beat brothers Daniel and Jason Ellard with their batons after restraining them.

The altercation began when police responded to a report of a fight early Saturday morning and tried to break up the crowd.

According to police, the men were not involved in the fight but later got into a scuffle with officers when one of them punched an officer.

Mullins said the police department’s criminal investigation division is investigating the allegations.